Electric generating system



Nov. 10, 1942. J. H. HUNT 2,301,408

ELECTRIC GENERATING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1940 mm GENERATOR "IO RADIO, E-fc. 2a

T0 ENGINE STARTER AUXILIARY GE'NE'RATOR o V. 2 &

Q 4/ I v INVENTOR ATTORNEYA- Patented Nov. 10, 1942 ELECTRIC cnmamo SYSTEM John 11. magnetron, Mich, assignmto General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application February a, 1940, Serial No. 317,878 3 Claims. (Cl. 171-314) This invention relates to automobile lighting systems and has for its object the provision of an auxiliary source of current for extra heavy duty, for example, in connection with automobile lightmg.

For example, when using a system of head lighting which provides polarized light as a means of avoiding glare, to obtain the same amount of illumination something like four times as much current will be required for the head lamps. This will require increased generator capacity; a

To provide for this increase will be diflicult,

especially with automobiles already in service.

' I propose to meet the problem by providing a special auxiliary generator which will be directly connected with special lamps equipped with polarizing devices without any switches or relays in the current supply between the generator and head lamps. The switch which controls these polarized head lamps carries only the field current of the auxiliarygenerator. The generator may be constructed to carry full load at speeds above 30 M. P. H. since the polarized light would be required only for country driving. A current regulator connected between the automobile storage battery and the auxiliary generator, limits the supply of current by the auxiliary generator to the storage battery to a small value,

for example, 2 amps.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

The figure of the drawing is a wiring diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing. A main generator provided with a regulator 2| supplies current to a line which includes a cut-out relay 22, wire 23, ammeter 24 and wire 25 leading to a storage battery 25. From the wire 23 a plurality of distributing circuits lead off, for example, an ignition circuit controlled by switch 30a, a circuit 3| for the smaller lighting units controlled by switch 3|a and a circuit 32 for radio or other accessories controlled by a switch 32a. The wire 25 is connected with an enginestarter circuit 33 controlled by switch 330. These circuits are the usual circuits of an automotive electrical system.

and 4| indicate a pair of special head lamps equipped with polarizing devices and directly iliary generator 45. The field winding 48 ofthe auxiliary generator is connected by wire 41 with terminal 48 of a current regulator 50 which comprises-a magnet. winding 5| surrounding a core 52 cooperating with a vibratory armature 53, pivoted at 54' and normally urged by spring upwardly so that the contact 55 carried by the armature 53 normally engages a contact 51 connected with terminal 45. A non-inductive resistance 49, is connected between terminal 48 and armature pivot 54, thereby placing resistance 49 in parallel with contacts 55 and 51. Armature pivot 54, is connected with wire 25 by a switch 58.

Magnet coil 5| is connected with wire 25 and with armature pivot ii of a reverse current relay 50 including armature 52 carrying a contact 63 for making engagement with a contact 54. Aspring 55 normally urges armature 52 up iwardly against a stop 55 thereby separating the contacts 53 and 64. The relay includes a magnetizable core 51 surrounded by a heavy winding of few turns 58 and a fine winding of many turns 59. Winding 5 9 is connected with an end lead of coil 55, the other end lead being connected with generator 45. The relay 50 operates in the usual manner to connect generator 45 with battery 26 throughjthe magnet coil 5| 0! current regulator 50, when the voltage of the generator 45 exceeds a certain value. The regulator 50 1s so constructedand adjusted as to limit the amount of current charged by the generator 45 into the battery 25 to a relatively low value, for example, 2 amps. The regulator 50, therefore, limits the output of generator 45 by limiting the current passing through the field.

When it is desired to turn on the polarized light head lamps 40 and 4|, the driver closes the switch 58 thereby connecting the battery 25 and the field winding 45 of the generator 45 through the normally closed contacts 55 and 51 ct regulator 50. Since the generator isseparately excited, the time required for the generator buildup will be minimized. The generator is constructed so that it will provide adequate current for the lamps 40 and 4| at speeds encountered in country driving, for example, at speeds above 30 M. P. H. The voltage of the generator quickly rises, following the closing of switch 58, whereupon the armature 52 of relay 50 moves downwardly to close contacts 53 and 54, thereby connecting generator 45 with battery 25 through the the generator 45 is charging the battery 25, it is also supplying current to its own field winding connected by wires 42, 43 and u with an aux- 55 6 t ro h a c rcuit w ch nc ude w e 5.

switch 58, armature pivot armature 53. contacts 55 and 51, terminal 48 and wire 51. If the current flowing through magnet coil 51 exceeds a certain amount the regulator armature 53 will be attracted downwardly to separate contact 55 from contact 51 thereby interrupting the short circuit of the resistance 49 in order to reduce the current flowing through the field winding 46 which'in turn reduces the excitation of the generator 45. thereby reducing the output of the generator 45 and the current flowing through the magnet coil 5|, whereupon the excitation of the current regulator 50 is reduced finally to a point where the contacts 55 and 51 are closed and the cycle of the regulator 50 is repeated in order to maintain the current flowing between the generator and the battery and also to the field of the generator within proper limits.

From the foregoing description of the construction and mode of operation of the present 5 auxiliary generating system, it is apparent that I have provided an auxiliary source of current for heavy duty use which may be added to supplernent the usual conventional automotive generating system. I make use of the regular automobile storage battery for separately exciting the auxiliary generator initially so that it will be-quickly responsive to the closing of a switch in order to provide current adequate for heavy duty use. I use the auxiliary generator as a supplemental source of battery charging currentwhlle the heavy duty head lamps are being used.

While the embodiments of the present as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within .the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed i as follows: 1.Ina device of the character described the combination with a, generator having a normally open field circuit and a constantly closed armature circuit including electrical translating devices; a, source of electrical energ a switch for closing the field circuit to include said source of energy and render the generator effective; and generator controlled means adapted automatically to establish a circuit to include the field, the switch and generator armature circuit only whereby the generator is rendered effective independently of the source of energy.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a generator having a normal ly open field winding circuit and a constantly closed armature circuit including electrical work devices; a storage battery; a manually operable switch for connecting the storage battery in circult with the field winding to cause its excitation and render the generator operative; and automatic means in circuit with the armature for connecting the field winding in circuit with the armature and manually operable switch to render the generator self exciting independently of the storage battery.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a storage battery, oi. a generator having a field winding circuit and an armature circuit; a manual switch adapted to be closed to connect the storage battery with the generator field winding to excite the same and render the generator operative; and a magnetic switch having a circuit constantly connected with the generator armature, said magnetic switch being adapted, under the influence oi the generator to complete a circuit including the generator field and armature and the manual switch whereby the generator is rendered sellexciting independently of the storage battery.

JOHN H. HUNT. 

